Someday, All Planes Will Be Drones

A robot-ready traffic system wouldn't allow planes to go missing.

A column here nine years ago began with a Cypriot jetliner that flew off by itself and crashed when it ran out of fuel. It ended with a discussion of why the skies were not filling up with drones.

In between was all about the failures and delays plaguing a remaking of the air-traffic-control system for the digital age. This has direct relevance for both the terrible mystery of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 and the rollicking battle...